By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
Libraries aren’t just a place to borrow books. At a library, you can get creative, learn new skills and get answers. Libraries in the Two River area offer innovative options to help you do it all!
Of course, you can borrow a book. But did you know, at many Two River-area libraries, you can do so much more? In addition to traditional books, you can borrow ebooks, cookbooks and DVDs and even a phone charger, museum passes or a cake pan. You can print and scan, log on to the internet, find government forms and join a book club. You can learn a new language, propagate a plant, listen to live music and talk Pokémon with like-minded peers. Having a library card opens the door to a world of exploration and wonder.
In addition to the wide range of programs for children, teens, and adults offered at the Middletown Public Library, the library debuted a Makerspace for all cardholders ages 9 and up last year. A Makerspace provides an area and equipment for working on projects while sharing ideas and knowledge.
“The Makerspace has quickly become a hub for creativity, hands-on learning and emerging technology in our community,” according to Jenna O’Donnell, the library’s public information officer.
The Makerspace features 3D printers, a sublimation printer (which prints transfers using special ink that can be heat-applied to fabrics, ceramics, metal and glass) and a variety of Cricut (craft cutting) machines and heat presses.
“The library offers weekly workshops for families and individuals to learn new skills, explore technology and create their own projects in a guided, welcoming environment,” O’Donnell said.
Training is required on each machine before you can use the space and additional fees apply for certain items, like T-shirts and mugs for printing. Makerspace open hours and appointments are available and the library also offers classes for specific skills, such as T-shirt design, 3D print design, laser cutting projects and more.
At the Red Bank Public Library, you never have to be caught without the right tool for your DIY job again. In addition to regular programming, such as language lessons, game nights, storytime and knitting circles, the library has a vast collection of items available for borrowing in its Library of Things, an “ever-growing collection of nontraditional circulating items,” according to the library’s website. The “things” include home improvement items (drills, weed trimmers, picture-hanging tools and more), audiovisual equipment (a projector or a Cricut machine), lawn games, a karaoke machine for your next party, sports equipment, musical instruments and even an all-terrain mobility stroller.
The library also offers cake pan borrowing, perfect for when you need to make a teddy bear cake but don’t want to spend $20 or more on a pan you’ll probably use once. If you are thinking of becoming a plant parent or want to add to your houseplant collection, stop by the free Plant Propagation Station to secure a cutting from the current offerings. The station promotes green spaces and cleaner air by enabling the community to grow plants at home.
The Red Bank Library even offers a free Seed Library to “support genetic diversity, promote sustainability, and restore indigenous varieties of seed to the area” while working to prevent hunger and promote nutrition.
The Plant Propagation Station and Seed Library are free and open to everyone in the community, even if you don’t have a library card. (But why don’t you?)
The Monmouth County Library recently added to its wide range of offerings with its Museum Pass Program, allowing adults aged 18 and over to reserve passes for many local attractions with their Monmouth County Library card. Museum passes can be reserved online up to 45 days in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Passes must be used the date they are reserved for and by the person who borrowed them. Many cover the entry for multiple people (i.e., two adults and three children) and each pass is designated for one-time use. There is no charge for this service.
Just a few of the current passes available include the New York Transit Museum and The Frick Collection in New York City; the African American Museum in Philadelphia and the Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania; and Battleship New Jersey and the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey.
Many Monmouth County Library System member libraries now offer self-service kiosks for item checkout. When used with the self-service shelves for held items, you can be in and out of the library in a flash.
But really, with all your library has to offer, why don’t you want to hang around?
The article originally appeared in the January 15 – 21, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
